8 Football rules you have probably never heard about

• There are several football rules you might not have heard about despite being a fan 
• These rules are not things we see in regular games.
• So if you’re not a football referee, player or manager, you can be forgiven for not knowing them.

No matter how knowledgeable you are about football, there are certain rules about the sport that you probably didn’t know existed.

You might not have heard about these rules despite being a passionate football fan because they are not things we see in regular games.

Football rules. Photo/ Goal.com.

So if you’re not a football referee, player or manager, you can be forgiven for not knowing some of the rules.

Here, we will discuss ten football rules you didn’t know existed despite being a lover of the global sport.

1. Celebrations Can Be Penalized If A Goal Is Ruled Out

Imagine a player running all over the pitch while celebrating, only to be booked later if the goal is ruled out.

Well, this is one of the rules many football fans do not know because we have not seen a scenario where it has happened in recent years.

The rule is well known by the match officials, players and referees.

2. A Goalkeeper Can Be Subbed Before Penalties 

We have seen situations where goalkeepers are subbed a few minutes or seconds before the end of extra time so as to save penalties.

But did you know that the coach can wait until after the final whistle to bring in another goalkeeper for the penalty shoot-outs? Now you know. 

However, the goalkeeper should be substituted before the start of the penalty shoot-outs.

3. Underpants And Normal Shots Should Be The Same Colour

One of the football rules you probably didn’t know about is that undershorts have to be in certain colours. This rule requires the players to match the colour of their normal shorts and their underpants.

This rule aims to avoid confusion that might arise when the players of one team mix up with the opposition players on the pitch.

4. Assist From A Penalty 

Few football fans know that a player can opt to assist his teammate from a penalty kick. Even though this is not common, the first penalty assist was attempted and converted in 1957.

Over the years, several players have tried taking penalties this way, with some missing and some scoring.

5. A Football Match Can’t Start If There Are No Corner Flags 

This happened during the 1974 World Cup final between Holland and Germany. The referee was forced to delay the match because the staff had forgotten to put corner flags on the field.

The game started immediately after the corner flags were placed where they should be.

6. It Is The Referee’s Duty To Stop Pitch Invaders

A pitch invader. Photo/ Sky News.

It is not strange to see a football fan invading the pitch during games. But did you know that the law book states that it is the work of the match’s referee to stop the ballsy fearless streaker?

This means that the stewards we see in their hi-viz jackets running after the invaders are doing more than their work.

Just like you, we would love to see a referee chasing an invader out of the pitch back to the stands.

7. Play Should Be Stopped If The Ball Comes In Contact With Foreign Objects 

Football fans do more than just invading the pitch and being rowdy, as we have seen situations where they throw objects into the pitch.

According to the laws of football, play should be stopped immediately after a foreign object comes into contact with the match’s ball.

8. A Set-Piece Taker Can’t Touch The Ball Twice 

This is one of the football rules you didn’t know existed. According to the laws of the game, a player taking a set piece is not allowed to touch the ball twice.

Whether it’s a penalty, free kick or throw-in, the kicker should not touch the ball again before it has touched another player.

A set piece taker can’t touch the ball twice. Photo/ Stretty News.

If he/she decides to kick the ball for the second time before it touches another player, the referee blows his whistle and awards a free kick to the other team.